Shalom Shalom & bitterness Isaiah 38:17, 26:12

First, if you didn't read the story about the father and son and see the
video yesterday, I would encourage you to do so...very inspiring. Well
another very beautiful morning; may we have ears to hear today and eyes to
see, and above all, be able to understand.
In Isaiah 38:17 we read, "Behold, it was for my welfare that I had
great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of
destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back." What an
amazing verse! God always has our best interest in mind....i can imagine
how many right at this moment are going through unbelievable
circumstances...loneliness in marriage; the feeling of abandonment,
rejection, shame; a teenager who is disrespectful, selfish, and self
centered; the poor health of a loved one; continual conflict with a neighbor
or coworker; a lack of purpose and meaning to life--so many causes of
bitterness. But "it was for my welfare!" This word "welfare," is the word
for shalom in Hebrew. It means peace--Jeru--salem or Jeru---shalom...city
of peace is another way to look at this word. In Isaiah, the word appears
twice, shalom, shalom. "In love you have delivered my life..." This is an
amazing truth. In love he goes down to the pit for us. The pain that we have
to endure, God is behind the scenes "in love" trying to help us see the
benefit, for my welfare, my peace. In love, he will send his only son to
help us with what we cannot help ourselves. What amazing love.
In Isaiah 26:12, it reads, "O LORD, you will ordain peace for us;
you have done for us all our works." God is behind the scenes working on
our behalf, doing what we cannot do for ourselves--in love--for our benefit.
What an amazing God!